From Investment to Impact: What the 2026 Global Summit on Eye Health Must Achieve

It is estimated that globally, over 1 billion people live with vision loss that could have been prevented or treated. Cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes, yet many people who need cataract surgery or spectacles do not receive them, and those who receive care do not always achieve good visual outcomes. Vision impairment is estimated to cost the global economy US$411 billion annually in lost productivity, strengthening the case for greater investment in eye health. The 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health provides an important opportunity to mobilise this investment. We argue, however, that the impact of additional financing will depend on whether it addresses the constraints preventing people from receiving the care they need and achieving good outcomes. These constraints differ between settings and may include inadequate service capacity or quality, cost, poor awareness, lack of trust and social or geographic barriers. We propose a country-level investment-to-impact pathway that links population need to the constraints identified, targeted investment, effective and equitable care, and health and economic impact. This could provide a practical approach for translating investment commitments into measurable population benefit.